Best way to get Bramble roots out?

I've just got an allotment - they told me today (hurray! It feels like a Birthday present - I've been trying for 1.5 years and finally get one on the day before my 40th Birthday )

It was full of 8 year old brambles which the allotment committee have cut back and used roundup to kill them. The roots, of course, are still in there and need to be got out.

Now I was thinking that I'd just use a fork or spade and dig them out, but just as the committee were leaving the site, one of them commented over his shoulder 'oh, by the way, you already know that you'll need a pick axe to hack out the roots, don't you?" He didn't appear to be joking. So ... is there a special technique to getting bramble roots out? Or is it just like I thought - you dig them out normally?

Prob an over statement unless the ground hasn't been dug for a number of years the only way to find out is give the digging a go.
Best of luck with your new lottie
Love best wishes Bubblewrap
PS you could always try Semtex

I am slowly digging out an area of brambles to make my veggie plot. I am using the old-fashioned fork and brute force method. It works okay. I haven't resorted to the pickaxe yet as I find the roots are quite shallow and seem to come every few feet in a sort of 'bush'. Now my bramble patch has been developing for 10 years and I am not currently as strong as I used to be, so I think you will manage just fine with normal digging. good luck with it and best advice is take it gently or you will do yourself a hurt.

Thanks And phew! I knew it would be hard work (it hasn't been dug or touched in any way until they nuked it with weedkiller, Bubblewrap), but I panicked a bit at the thought of pick axes and crow bars! Digging I can do if I take it slowly, just like you say Shirley.